Lyle Cherry Orchard–A great pick for spring wildflowers!

Location: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

Land Agency: Friends of the Columbia Gorge

Roundtrip: 6.8 miles

Elevation gain: 1,500 feet

Contact: Friends of the Columbia Gorge

Notes: Dogs permitted on leash; Beware ticks, rattlesnakes, and poison oak; parking limited especially on weekends

Green Trails Map: Columbia River Gorge East No. 432S

Access: From Bingen WA, drive State Route 14 east for 9.4 miles to Lyle. Then continue on SR 14 east for 1.4 miles to the unmarked trailhead (just after passing through the twin tunnels), located on the left at a wide pullout.

Cherry-pick one the best hikes in the Gorge by picking this lollipop loop hike to a century-old cherry orchard. Starting in a narrow draw hemmed in by basalt walls, follow the trail upward through a stunted oak forest and reach the remnants of the Lyle Convict Road, an unsuccessful precursor to the Columbia River Highway. Then turn right to continue through the 540-acre Lyle Cherry Orchard Preserve. Owned by the Friends of the Columbia Gorge, this beautiful property was purchased by the Russell Family to protect it from being developed. Nancy Russell (who died in 2008 from Lou Gehrig’s disease) founded the Friends of the Columbia and was one of the driving (and most influential) forces behind the establishment of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in 1986.

Continue upward crossing basalt scree and then climbing to a fantastic overlook of the Columbia. Then continue up an open slope where death camas, prairie star, grass widow, and other showy blossoms begin working their magic on the landscape in the spring. Reach a junction on a broad bench with the Lyle Loop trail. You’ll return on that trail, so head right on switchbacks steadily ascending a grassy hillside granting excellent views of the Rowena Plateau. The climb eases and reaches an unmarked junction with the Lyle Loop. You’ll be heading left here on your return, so keep hiking straight through a gorgeous forest of contorted oaks. In spring the forest floor is a stunning gold carpet thanks to a profusion of buttercups.

Continue straight at another junction. You’ll be returning on the right. The trail passes a small vernal pool and comes to an old road before looing through an open bluff, the site of an old homestead and cherry orchard. Only one of the cherry trees still survives. Catch good views here east to The Dalles. The way then bends north to close the loop.

Now head left and veer right on the new loop trail that was completed in 2021 by the Washington Trails Association. Gently climb through mature oak forests and grassy openings granting excellent views west of the Gorge. Crest a ridge taking in sweeping views out to the Memaloose Hills and Island, Coyote Wall, Mount Defiance, Dog Mountain, Mount Adams and more.

Then descend undulating between stunted oak forest and more openings. Views are outstanding. After some switchbacks the trail passes a big ponderosa pine and begins a traverse of steep open slopes above the community of Lyle and below the Lyle marker on the hillside. Wrap around the ridge and return to the main Cherry Orchard Trail. Turn right and return to your start.

For detailed information on this hike and 114 more, pick up a copy of my brand new, fully updated and expanded Day Hiking Columbia River Gorge 2nd Edition (Mountaineers Books).